PRINCETON, N.J. – The 2018 University of Pennsylvania football season came to a close with a 42-14 loss at No. 9/11 Princeton. The loss dropped the Quakers to 6-4 overall and 3-4 in the Ivy League, while the Tigers put the cap on a 10-0 season and an outright Ivy League championship.
 
The Quakers showed moxie in the season finale, scoring twice in a span of 2:47 of game play to turn a 21-point deficit into a one score game with 13:42 remaining in the third quarter. Both Penn scores were passing touchdowns from Nick Robinson – the first a 27-yard pass to Christian Pearson with 1:29 remaining in the first half and the second a 69-yard catch and run from Tyler Herrick just 1:18 into the third quarter.
 
That was as close as the Quakers would get, as Princeton's No. 1-ranked scoring offense notched the game's final 21 points to pull away.
 
Jesper Horsted finished with four total touchdowns for the Tigers, catching three TD passes and rushing for a 19-yard score off a reverse in the second quarter. Quarterback John Lovett had all three TD passes, and ran for a score of his own.
 
Princeton's opening drive resulted in 64 yards over 13 plays – but no points. Penn held the Tigers off the scoreboard on an opening drive for the first time all season, stuffing Princeton after the Tigers had first-and-10 from the Penn 11. Jay Cammon, Jr. tackled John Lovett for a two-yard loss, then Lovett was too far on a post pass to Jesper Horsted. Nicolas Ramos lined up a 28-yard field goal and was wide right.
 
After that opening stand, Princeton would score on its next three drives – each a Horsted touchdown. His first was a 42-yard pass from Lovett to cap an 80-yard drive with 3:05 remaining in the first quarter. Horsted would follow with a 19-yard rush off a Princeton reverse. Horsted's third TD came off a shovel pass from Horsted at the Penn 3 with 6:42 remaining in the second quarter.
 
Penn put together a 12-play, 75-yard touchdown drive to get on the board. Nick Robinson was 6-for-8 on the drive, finishing it off with a 27-yard touchdown pass over the middle to Christian Pearson.
 
The Quakers received to open the second half, and needed just three plays to close to within one score. On third down from the Penn 31, Robinson found Tyler Herrick open in front of the Penn sideline, and he made one move to evade a defender and turn a short first down gain into a 69-yard touchdown – Penn's longest touchdown pass of the season.
 
Penn's defense put the Red and Blue in position to tie the game, forcing Princeton into a quick punt which gave the Quakers the ball at their own 33. Penn earned one first down, though, ultimately punting to the Princeton 20.
 
The Tigers would march 80 yards for an insurance touchdown, needing nine plays to put together a drive capped by a 20-yard pass from Lovett to Horsted in the corner of the end zone.
 
With 5:11 remaining in the third quarter, Penn had time to eat back into Princeton's lead, but an unfortunate bounce of a Ryan Glover pass ended Penn's next drive. After Penn had gained 39 yards and had first down at the Princeton 39, Glover's pass intended for Pearson was deflected by Trevor Forbes, and was fought for by Pearson and Tiger cornerback Ben Ellis. Ultimately, possession was awarded to the Tigers who took over on their own 33.
 
Freshman cornerback Mohammed Diakite gave Penn the ball back right away, intercepting Lovett at the Penn 35 for his third interception of the season. The Quakers could not capitalize, going three-and-out before punting to the Princeton 16.
 
The Quakers tried to play field position, but Princeton would win that game – and all but salt away the contest – with an 11-play, 84-yard drive capped by a Lovett five-yard rushing TD. Penn's next drive started with a 15-yard pass to Abe Willows and a 15-yard targeting foul by Princeton, but was halted in its tracks by a holding penalty and Princeton sack. The Quakers were stuck with third-and-30 from their own 35 and ultimately were forced to punt.
 
Princeton ran off an 11-play, 84-yard drive – every yard gained on the ground – to lock up their first 10-0 season since 1964.
 
Penn Notes: The Quakers finish 6-4, giving Ray Priore a winning season in each of his four years as head coach of the Quakers… Penn is the only Ivy League school with winning records each of the last four seasons… Wide receiver Christian Pearson has three catches for 41 yards and a touchdown… He will graduate ranked T-No. 5 in receiving touchdowns (17), No. 9 all-time in receptions (104) and No. 10 all-time in receiving yards (1,422)… Jack Soslow will graduate ranked No. 10 all-time in made PATs by a Penn kicker with 57… The loss was Penn's first in a season finale since a 42-41 loss to Cornell in 2013… Penn is now 3-2 all-time against ranked teams under Ray Priore.